Apple

Your iPhone's just another tool, right? Well, with their line of Stanley cases for iPhone 5, Incipio has taken that pretty literally. The cell phone accessories maker has paired with tool manufacturer Stanley for this collection of tough, professional-grade carrying cases and covers designed to for the jobsite.

We've reviewed a lot of cell phone accessories in the past, but this is the first time we've ever seen a line of cases specifically geared for some of the toughest trades out there.

New at Pure Mobile, the Stanley line will certainly look at home next to the rest of your tools, with models in classic construction colors like black and yellow (though they're also available in more subtle tones like black and grey, or even black and pink, for the ladies.)

Incipio's Stanley Foreman case for iPhone 5 in Black and Yellow

And whatever your job throws at you, there's a Stanley case that can handle it. Models like Dozer are extra-rugged, with a plextonium under-layer, shock-absorbing silicone outer, and screen protector. The Dozer even goes so far as to provide camera and button protectors that can be closed to keep dust and dirt out.

But different tasks require different levels of protection. And while models like the Highwire, Technician, and Foreman also use a combination of plextonium and either silicone or NGP in their multi-layer construction, each is tailor-made to suit the task at hand.

For a sleeker, slimmer look that's still up to par, we'd recommend the Foreman. While it's impact resistant, with a plextonium bumper and easy-to-grip silicone core, it's got a bit of a lower profile than styles like the Highwire or Dozer, which really do look like something you'd hang from your toolbelt.

But whatever the style for you, Incipio's Stanley line is definitely at the top of a very short list of iPhone 5 accessories we'd actually trust at a construction site.

When is an iPhone accessory not an iPhone accessory? When it's a musical instrument.

At first glance, you may think you've got Artiphon's Instrument 1 all figured out. On the surface it looks like some sort of mobile take on Guitar Hero that runs on your smartphone or MP3 player instead of a video game system.

But as Mashable explains in their in-depth review, the Instrument One is most certainly more than just an “appcessory.” Instead, it's a real musical instrument in its own right. Scratch that, it's a real multi-instrument that uses your iPhone or iPod Touch “as its brain.”

Made of genuine hardwood and sporting high-end speakers, it doesn't really look like a guitar, or a keyboard, or any other instrument per se, but that's the whole point. As Artiphon founder Mike Butera told Mashable, the Instrument 1 intentionally stays away from trying to replicate any specific instrument so that musicians are free to use it any way they want. So you can play it like a violin if you want, but it's really up to you.

According to Mashable, “The Instrument 1 works with any core MIDI enabled app, but there are plans to release a companion app for more detailed / custom mappings in the future.”

We're not sure what to make of the Instrument 1 yet, or whether we'd actually play one. But we've got to give it credit for being one case where the iPhone accessory outshines the device.

In the realm of MacBook accessories, there's figuratively cool and then there's literally cool. Today we're talking about the later, that less flashy but incredibly essential item, the cooling stand or chill pad. For anyone who uses their MacBook as their primary computer, one maintenance concern rises above all others – keeping their laptop from overheating. And Moshi has addressed the issue with their sleek and highly efficient Zefyr 2 Cooler.

Even though MacBooks are renowned for their performance, which easily matches that of many desktop computers – most of Pure Mobile's blog posts are written from a MacBook air – the fact that laptops have much smaller fans than desktop models means they can get pretty hot pretty fast. This is especially true if you're gaming, watching video, or loading your computer down with heavy-duty work.

But, with its double fan design and twin convection funnels to draw heat outward and away, Moshi's Zephyr 2 keeps your MacBook nice and cool, so that it can run at the speed it's supposed to.

Made of aircraft-grade aluminum and white plastic, the Zephyr 2's look is in keeping with Apple's signature minimalist white aesthetic. It's a small and compact wedge-shaped design that props your laptop at an angle that's comfortable for typing. Convenient details, like anti-slip rubber pads, and an additional USB port to compensate for the one used to connect the stand to your MacBookshow the thought that went into the Zephyr 2's design.

You can run the Zephyr 2 with one or two fans at a time, and the cooling fans themselves are extremely quiet; On low setting, they're next to silent. But the main thing is that they perform as they're supposed to, keeping your MacBook at optimal performance and maintaing its system stability.

A cooling stand or chill pad may not immediately jump out as the flashiest of MacBook accessories. But for anyone who (like this blogger) is more than a little dependent on their laptop, it's an essential piece of hardware for prolonging device life and maintaining performance. And a sleek, portable and efficient model like Moshi's Zephyr 2 is a good bet.

Love gaming and love your iPad, but don't love gaming on your iPad? A new concept in iPad accessories, launched just this week on Kickstarter, is looking to bring your two great loves together, with a carrying case designed specifically for gaming and gamers.

Engadget reported yesterday on the latest idea from Audojo, a case that supplies what most gamers find lacking when playing on their tablet – physical controls.

The case, which is compatible with iPad 2 or higher, closes around the ends of your iPad, giving you two analog joysticks, shoulder buttons, and stereo speakers.Meanwhile, the rest of your tablet is left free, so you can use your camera or any of your tablet's buttons without hassle.

There are, of course, other gaming controllers for iPad out there. But how Audojo's differs, says Engadget, is that rather than connecting via Bluetooth, it uses a low-latency microphone-based interface.

hile the case does have a mini-USB connector for charging, it doesn't actually act as a charger for your iPad, which would be cool but would also make the gadget a lot more expensive, so Audojo's decided to keep it simple, for a cheaper, more accessible design.

This isn't a perfect accessory – yet. Engadget took issue with its prototype, which it said "looks a little clunky since it adds quite a bit of bulk to the iPad's figure," though they also noted that, when you're actually using it, "it's light and well balanced and feels comfortable in hand."

They also found that the pods for the shoulder buttons, electronics and batteries, housed at the back of the case, are "are currently too wide but Audojo plans to remedy this before production thanks to an improved circuit board layout."

Audojo's gaming case is far from hitting any store shelves. But if its Kickstarter campaign works out as planned, we should eventually see a slimmer, more refined version of this already pretty cool prototype. And though we're not counting our chickens before they hatch, we have a hunch it could be one of the best iPad accessories yet made for the gaming crowd.

It doesn't always take a big brand name to come up with cool new iPad accessories. This week, Pure Mobile came across an ingenious waterproof iPad case designed by two Estonian students using recycled fire-hose as the primary material.

Working on the idea that "it’s rather silly that perfectly good material is wasted when firehoses reach their standard time of use," Ivar Arulaid and Lee Sakk started Hoswear, a line of accessories, from phone sleeves and iPad or laptop cases to messenger bags, totes and clutches, all made from recycled hoses.

It's a clever way to go about making a waterproof iPad bag or sleeve, and the look is just as cool.

Available in yellow, red, or white, and often including bits of text from the up-cycled hoses, Hosewear's iPad sleeves have a modern, industrial look that's just as appealing to women as to men. And of course, they'll keep your iPad dry, all while being friendly to the environment.

There's really nothing too complicated about Hosewear's product line. Their bags and cases for the most part have a pretty standard shape. But the small company has definitely distinguished itself by cleverly reusing a really effective and unique material that still has quite a lot of life left in it.

The result is a fairly waterproof and totally cool iPad cover that's sure to stand out from the rest.

Today's Pure Mobile accessory of the week would make any outdoorsman proud. Basically the Swiss Army Knife of cell phone accessories, PureGear's PX360 ExtremeCase for iPhone 4/4S is more than just an iPhone case, it's also touted as an "extreme protection system."

Voted by Men's Fitness as the "most functional" on their list of "best cases for your iPhone4/4S" the ExtremeCase offers a crazy level of protection, in an ultra-sporty design. There's no risk of your iPhone unexpectedly coming out of the case if it drops; the ExtremeCase is secured by six screws and acts as a 360-degree shield, witha built-in screen protector.

But what makes it really great for the rugged, outdoorsy type or active athlete are additional features, like the built-in loop at the top, which comes with a carbiner, so you can secure your phone when you're on the go or when you've set up camp.

And, aside from the fairly standard kick-stand, PureGear's ExtremeCase offers cool details rarely found in an iPhone case, like a built-in bottle opener and wrench. So even if you're out of service area, your iPhone may just be able to get you out of a sticky situation.

This wouldn't be the first time, but The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported yesterday on a rumor that Apple is at work on a new iPhone that's cheaper than the current models.

According to the report, the cheaper iPhone that Apple is supposedly developing would answer to the fact the company is under increasing pressure to make a more affordable device in the face of "an onslaught of lower cost rivals powered by Google Inc.'s Android operating system," which are snapping up more and more of the market.

Citing "people briefed in the matter," the report says that the lower-priced iPhone would look more or less like the standard iPhone but would forego the iPhone 5's aluminum backing for a cheaper polycarbonate shell. And on the inside, the rumored smartphone would have some recycled parts from older iPhone models.

True, as the WSJ's Digits noted, even older versions, like the iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, are pretty steep without carrier subsidies. "The iPhone 4 without a contract, a phone two generations old, for example, costs $450 on Apple’s store," writes Digits.

But even coming from the WSJ, others warn not to read too much into this rumor. There was similar speculation as far back as February 2011, and nothing ever came of it.

In tackling the reasons we should be skeptical, Gizmodo probably put it best:

Is Apple working on prototypes made from cheaper materials? I'm sure it is. It's also working on prototypes with more expensive materials, and has been exploring both since the very first iPhone came out. But why would Apple sell an iPhone with iPhone 4S parts when it already sells the iPhone 4S? Why make an iPhone 5 out of cheaper materials when in less than a year's time the iPhone 5 will be discounted heavily to make way for a shiny new iPhone 6 (or 5S, or whatever)?

Nevermind that you can actually buy a cheap iPhone 4S through the Apple store already, or get a free iPhone with a contract. In other words, you can hope and pray for a new, lower-priced iPhone – just don't hold your breath.

But for some people, protection doesn't mean much unless it looks good. Sure, some may dig the utilitarian charm of a rugged case. But there are others still who'd prefer a much less macho look, a case that says high-end cool, a case with a little glamour and a fashionable edge, but that does the job nonethless.

And that's exactly what you get from today's mobile accessory of the week. Versatile as ever, leading mobile accessories label Griffin has come out with a line of ultra cool iPhone 5 cases under the banner of their Moxy collection.

With an edge and style worthy of a spot in even the best fashionista's wardrobe, Grffin's Moxy cases come in a trendy range of colors, textures and patterns, adding some serious designer appeal to your iPhone 5.

In the case of the Moxy line, you get a smooth rubber-finish lining that protects your iPhone from scratches and smudges, along with a tough polycarbonate shell around the back and edges for impact resistance.

So even though Griffin's iPhone 5 Moxy cases stand up to the rest of your wardrobe in terms of cool, they're also hard to beat in terms of functionality, protection and performance.

Among the rumors is one that the iPhone 5S will come in a range of colors

No doubt about it, Apple's huge. Even so, analysts say its been, well, less huge than usual in the past few months. But nevertheless, they're expecting great things from the iPhone maker in the coming year.

If Topeka Capital Markets analyst Brian White is to be believed, that's because Apple is already planning the launch of its next generation iPhone, the iPhone 5S. As cited by BGR, White explained that the release of the next iPhone is expected to make up for Apple's recent 25% stock drop and that the new device is partly responsible for the fact that "Apple is our top overall pick for 2013."

According to White, we can expect the next generation sooner rather than later, with a tentative launch date between May and June. There are also musings that "the next iPhone will have more choices for customers," which may entail "an expansion in both the color patterns and screen sizes." If that's true, says BGR, this would be "the first time Apple has released one phone with multiple display size options."

So what can we then expect from accessories for the newest iPhone? Maybe open-front clear cases that show off the iPhone 5S' bright new colors and fit the different screen options? That's just a guess, so we'll have to wait til summer, if the rumors are true, to really find out.

Design concept from earlier this year for an iSiri Smartwatch from Frederico Ciccarese

This wouldn't be the first time – remember Frederico Ciccarese's design concept for an iSiri smartwatch? – but rumors have been circulating about the possibility of an Apple-branded smartwatch in the coming months.

A report (via Chinese news portal 163.com) has been making the rounds on Mashable and 9to5Mac, among others, claiming that Apple and Intel are working together on a Bluetooth-enabled smartwatch that could be released as early as the first quarter of 2013.

The rumored iWatch may work like Sony Mobile's SmartWatch, which syncs with your smartphone and keeps you discreetly updated

Then, there are watch-style cases from accessories makers like Lunatik and Griffin that turn devices you already own, like an iPod nano, into a wrist-wearable smart device.

So, how would an Apple-sanctioned smartwatch differ from any of these? According to the report's sources on the Chinese supply chain, the iWatch would share some elements of other smartwatches. like Sony's device, it would be Bluteooth-enabled and sync to your smartphone, as long as it's an iPhone that is.

It would also be fairly dainty, roughly the size of an iPod nano with an 1.5" OLED display. Such a device, argues 9to5Mac, "could make sense for a future, Bluetooth 4.0-enabled iPod nano. Though they also note that its unlikely would choose to partner with Intel on a such a "low-powered, mobile product."